The province has (following the re-absorption of Qwaqwa and Thaba 'Nchu)
the same area that its predecessors had in 1910 and in 1890. Incidentally,
Thaba 'Nchu is now part of the Mangaung Municipality which includes Bloemfontein.
Mike Oettle, 19 Dec 2001

In addition to Qwaqwa, there was a portion of
Bophuthatswana
at Thaba 'Nchu - about 50km east of Bloemfontein.
Bruce Berry, 31 May 1999

Up to September 1995 none of the 9 new South African provinces have
adopted their own flags although one or two have proposals in this regard.
There is currently a debate in this country as to whether the provinces
should have their own flags or not with the ruling ANC holding the view that the
provinces should not have individual flags. The Orange Free State is now simply called
the Free State.
Bruce Berry, September 1995

Coat of Arms of the Free State

ARMS: Per chevron inverted, Or and Vert, the head of an Orange River
Lily (Crinum bulbispermum) with three blossoms and four buds slipped proper
and a chief dancetty, the peaks terminating in merlons, Azure; the shield
ensigned of a circlet Or, embellished with representations of cut diamonds
Argent, enamelled Azure against the upper and Vert against the lower facets,
heightened of four heads of maize Argent, leaved Or, alternating with as
many ears of wheat of the last.
SUPPORTERS: Two cheetahs proper.
SPECIAL COMPARTMENT: A representation of the Free State plains proper.
MOTTO: KATLEHO KA KOPANO.
Registered with the South African Bureau of Heraldry on 7 May 1999.
JJ Andersson, 05 May 2002

Municipal Flag descriptions

Bloemfontein municipality: flag registered with the South African Bureau of
Heraldry on 16 June 1972 with the following description:
Azure, two cornucopias confronte Or, the dexter
diffusing flowers, the sinister water, proper.

Bethlehem municipality: flag
registered with the South African Bureau of Heraldry on 11 Oct 1974 with the
following description:
Three horizontal stripes, blue, yellow, red, in the centre
the shield of the arms of Bethlehem (to wit: "Party per chevron Azure and
Gules, a chevron Or, in chief between two Springboks couped at the neck
respecting each other, proper, a mullet of the third, and in base three
maize cobs, the outer ones pilewise, all proper", as published on
p. 1124: OFSOG 41, 1958-10-10).

Vrede municipality: flag registered with
the South African Bureau of Heraldry on 21 Oct 1988 and described as:
A rectangular yellow flag, proportion 3:2, charged in
the middle with four horizontal green bars each 1/10 the width of the flag,
placed the same distance from each other; a blue equilateral triangle charged
with a dove volant holding in its beak a sprig of olive, both white.
(Vrede = Peace)

Bothaville Town Council: flag registered with the South
African Bureau of Heraldry on 19 Oct 1990 and described as:
A rectangular flag, proportion 3:2, consisting of two
horizontal bands, top to bottom green and blue, and a yellow equilateral
hoist triangle charged with a black phoenix langued and rising from flames,
all red.
Source:Data
of the Bureau of Heraldry on registered heraldic representations.
Mark Sensen, 19 May 2002